[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 176 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 47870] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-24150] [[Page 47870]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Richmond County, NC AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Richmond County, North Carolina. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy C. Shelton, Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration, 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 410, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, Telephone: (919) 856-4350. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve and/or relocate US 1 in Richmond County from Sandhill Road (SR 1971) south of Rockingham to Indian Lake Road (SR 1479) north of Marston, a distance of approximately 35.4 kilometers (22 miles). Improvements to the corridor are deemed necessary to improve travel in Richmond County by reducing overall travel time, reducing through and truck traffic congestion in downtown Rockingham, and improving traffic safety along existing US 1. The proposed project is also considered to be a key element in the state's effort to provide a multi-lane US 1 facility from the South Carolina state line to the Virginia state line. The range of alternatives under consideration include the ``no- action'' or No-Build Alternative, alternates using various other transportation modes, widening the existing two-lane highway to a four- lane or multi-lane facility, and constructing a multi-lane controlled access highway on new location. Incorporated into the study of various build alternatives will be various grade and alignment designs. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. Small group informational meetings and citizens information workshops have been established for this project. In addition, a corridor public hearing will be held. The public will be notified in advance of the workshops and public hearing through the use of newspaper advertisements and a direct mailing to persons on the project mailing list. The draft EIS will be circulated for public and agency review and comment prior to the public hearing. No formal scoping meeting is planned at this time. To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the FHWA at the address provided above. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this program) Issued on: August 29, 1997. Roy C. Shelton, Operations Engineer, Raleigh. [FR Doc. 97-24150 Filed 9-10-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-M